The value of experience

The Townsville-headquartered Bravus has been associated with the Cowboys since 2019, becoming a Platinum Partner of the NRL squad and presenting partner of the Club’s Adopt-A-School program in 2021.

Bravus playing a whole new ball game

Bravus Mining and Resources has doubled down on its support of the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys, expanding its partnership to include the club’s women’s squad. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says signing on as a Major Partner of the NRLW Cowboys is a natural next step in the organisations’ successful history of working together for the social and economic benefit of regional Queensland. “Our Carmichael mine near Clermont and our offices in Townsville and Rockhampton are all in the heart of Cowboys territory and our team members are some of the club’s biggest fans,” he said. “We were lucky enough to have Tom Dearden and Kaiden Lahrs out at the mine in February to launch our…

(Image source: Bowen Rail Company) From L-R: Netball Association secretary Michelle Bossen and Cyclones players with Bowen Rail Company health, safety and community manager Marty Trask with Bowen in their refurbished kitchen.

Bowen Netball scores big with Bowen Rail Company’s Community Partnership Program

Bowen’s Cyclones netballers have swapped their bibs for aprons thanks to a Bowen Rail Company (BRC) community grant to refurbish their canteen kitchen and keep their club on track. Bowen Netball Association was one of four grant recipients in the latest round of Bowen Rail Company’s Community Partnership Program, which supports local not-for-profit organisations and community groups with the purchase of small assets that can make a big difference. Bowen Netball secretary Michelle Bosson says modern canteen facilities were vital to the club’s 250 local netballers and its army of volunteers – both in keeping them fed and watered off and on the court. “We don’t make much money from registrations alone and it’s the income from the canteen that…

(Image source: Bravus Mining and Resources) A drone taking flight within the study area.

Bravus Mining and Resources takes groundwater monitoring to new heights at the Carmichael mine

Bravus Mining and Resources’ high-tech approach to groundwater research near the Carmichael mine in central Queensland has earned national recognition in a prestigious industry award. The regional Queensland business has been named a finalist in the Excellence in Environmental Management and Sustainability category at the 2024 Australian Mining Prospect Awards for applying military-grade drone technology to discover and protect previously unknown groundwater springs. Bravus Mining and Resources chief operating officer Mick Crowe says the company has partnered with Eco Logical Australia to add multispectral and thermal imaging to its comprehensive scientific programs that help to safeguard the health of the Great Artesian Basin-fed Doongmabulla springs. “Carmichael has some of the strictest environmental conditions of any resources project in Australia’s history,”…

The North Queensland Export Terminal features "turtle-friendly" amber lighting on its infrastructure.

Queensland turtle hatchlings’ glowing first journey

Design features at the North Queensland Export Terminal north of Bowen are ensuring turtle hatchlings see the light as nature intended. Abbot Point Operations manages the operations and maintenance of the multi-billion-dollar facility and has incorporated “turtle-friendly” amber lighting on terminal infrastructure visible from the ocean, to allow hatchlings a smoother path to the sea. Abbot Point Operations general manager Damien Dederer says the specially designed lighting is just one example of how smart thinking and smart technology supports ecosystems to thrive around an operating port. “The North Queensland Export Terminal is one of Queensland’s busiest ports, exporting about the same total volumes as the Port of Brisbane did in the last financial year,” he said. “The greater Port of…

Mental health matters at mineral resources

Mental health matters at Mineral Resources

In 2024, Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) became the first resources company in WA to deploy a team of in-house mental health clinicians to its mine sites across the state. Known as Mind Matters, the team includes seven highly qualified clinicians who work on a rotating 4:3 roster on site and in Perth, alongside two Perth-based clinicians. This ensures support is accessible to employees in remote locations as well as those based in the city. The investment encourages open, honest conversations about mental health and enables employees to access professional support at the earliest opportunity. Importantly, the service is provided free of charge for employees and their immediate family members. Now in its second year, Mind Matters is led by head of…

Neoen and Tesla select UGL to build six-hour Muchea battery

Neoen and Tesla select UGL to build six-hour Muchea battery

UGL, a member of the CIMIC Group, has been selected to construct a 164MW / 905MWh Muchea Battery north-east of Perth in WA for Neoen in partnership with Tesla. Muchea Battery is Neoen’s first six-hour long-duration storage asset and will be equipped to support the WA’s energy reliability and transition to renewables. UGL has been contracted to help prepare the site for the installation and connection of 252 Tesla Megapack 2XL units and to design and construct a 132kV substation, including the installation of high-voltage infrastructure, control and switchroom facilities, earthworks and footings. ACS Group and HOCHTIEF chief executive and CIMIC Group executive chairman Juan Santamaria says the contract is another milestone in the groups’ commitment to enabling Australia’s energy…

The MRIWA seeks to sponsor studies into areas that stimulate and amplify activities of high value to WA.

Mining scholarships now open

The Minerals Research Institute of WA’s (MRIWA) 2026 scholarships are now open to WA students undertaking postgraduate minerals research. These will be awarded to four exceptional WA students to support research endeavours into current gaps or innovations in mining that will directly benefit WA, help students to access and collaborate with the mining industry and continue the development of the minerals research workforce in WA. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael says the WA Government is committed to supporting the growth and the diversity of the state’s research workforce. “MRIWA scholarships provide a unique opportunity for researchers to connect with industry, academia and government,” he said. “Successful applicants will join the current 22 MRIWA PhD scholarship recipients in this…

Engineers achieve record-breaking battery performance

Engineers achieve record-breaking battery performance

Engineers at Monash University have developed a new catalyst that could drive zinc-air batteries from hearing aids and watches to EVs and large-scale industrial applications. While zinc-air batteries are currently used in small devices, this opens the door to rechargeable, high-power applications, moving the technology closer to real-world, grid-scale and transport uses. Using microscopic heat treatment, the researchers have developed carbon sheets from 3D materials, adding a framework of individual cobalt and iron atoms to greatly increase reactivity and efficiency within the battery. Saeed Askari and Dr Parama Banerjee, lead authors from Monash University’s chemical and biological engineering department, say the breakthrough catalyst outperformed standard commercial catalysts made from expensive metals like platinum and ruthenium. “By engineering cobalt and iron…